All Philippine languages are actually under attack, but Ilokano has become most vulnerable and is now at the center of a raging battle, no thanks to the treachery of one man and the fascist ways of a national artist.

The controversy has been raging since January, and the plot thickens day after day. It started when Dr. Joel Lopez, assistant division superintendent and MTB-MLE (Mother Tongue Based Multilingual Education) coordinator of DepEd Ilocos Norte, singlehandedly introduced changes to Ilokano orthography or spelling system that will be taught in schools. He never conducted consultations with language stakeholders.

Professional Ilokano writers and Ilokano language experts in the academe were quick to object. Under the MTB-MLE Implementing Rules and Regulations, stakeholder participation is necessary in drawing up a working orthography for any and all Philippine languages. Various groups—including GUMIL and Nakem Conferences—wrote position papers and letters addressed to various levels of the Department of Education (from division superintendent to the DepEd secretary himself) and also to the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF). Everyone opposed the JLo (abbreviation for Joel Lopez; with profuse apologies to Jennifer Lopez) orthography.

The effect of this conflict? Confusion. The Ilokano orthography taught in schools will be different from the orthography used in widely-read publications. The Ilokano spelling learned by pupils in elementary schools will later be declared erroneous by their college professors. The Ilokano as taught in Ilocos Norte will be different from other provinces in the Amianan, including Ilocos Sur, Abra, La Union, Pangasinan, and Benguet.

Who is Joel Lopez anyway?

Aside from his expertise in sowing language confusion, Lopez has no credentials in Ilokano literature. He has not received any literary award from any respectable body. Worse, there is no proof that he has written anything of decent literary value.

In an interview with local reporters, Lopez acknowledges that he is not a writer, but that he is an educator who is concerned about the learning process of students. The problem is, even professors at the Mariano Marcos State University, where Lopez obtained his PhD, oppose the JLo orthography. Dr. Aurelio Agcaoili, who chairs the world’s only Ilokano language degree program, that of University of Hawaii, also strongly condemns Almario’s machinations and Lopez’s complicity.

Apparently, the only Ilokano supporters of Lopez are his wife and DepEd Ilocos Norte Superintendent Cecilia Aribuabo.

The new Ilocano hero

Given the breadth of resistance against the JLo orthography, he would have backtracked if not for his major ally: Dr. Virgilio Almario, national artist and current KWF chair. Almario is mandating the application of an Ortograpiyang Pambansa to all Philippine languages. To put it simply, he wants to apply the orthography of the Wikang Filipino (which is basically Tagalog) to all other Philippine languages, including Ilokano. This is ridiculous because even Almario himself acknowledges that Ilokano and Tagalog evolved separately and distinctly from each other, thus bearing their own qualities and eccentricities.

Almario posits that the formation of a national language follows an inductive path: the best features of all Philippine languages will be gathered in order to come up with a national lingua franca. But that is only in principle. KWF actually does the opposite: a top-down approach which is, in effect, the Tagalogalization of Ilocano and other Philippine languages.

Everybody agrees that each language must evolve, lest it becomes unresponsive and irrelevant to the people and the times, but that such evolution must result from dialogue and consensus among the language owners, and not only by one man, or two. And so the Cebuanos have rejected Almario’s moves, and so have the Warays, Chavacanos, and other linguistic groups. But why did he succeed in Ilocos Norte?

NCCA Writers Prize winner Ariel Tabag, who is with the editorial staff of Bannawag Magazine, offers this explanation:

“Awan problema dagiti sabsabali a lengguahe ta awan ti Joel Lopez-da.” (Other languages don’t have a problem because they do not have a Joel Lopez.)

Traitor’s price

“It is treachery of the highest order,” says Tabag, who criticizes Lopez for taking it upon himself to change a finely-working orthography of a language used by 12 million people. That view is a strong and general sentiment among those who are aware of the issue.

If Judas received 30 pieces of silver, what is in the bag for Lopez?

First is recognition. On various occasions, Almario, who once tampered a Malacañang document, has heaped praises on Lopez as genius and progressive, and even compared him to Jose Rizal who also met opposition when he introduced changes in Tagalog orthography. This might explain why despite strong opposition, Lopez remains unturned: he mistakes callousness for heroism. At one point, he boasted, “Gumil does not own the language.” But hudas, er, who does? Definitely not one person.

Secondly, there is big money in textbook production. Tabag believes that it is in Lopez’s best interests to change the orthography and impose it to schools under him. If the standard orthography is used, Tabag explains, publishers can tap many writers. But if Lopez can impose orthographic changes that he alone can follow and accept, he will have a lion’s share.

Still, Tabag does not discount the possibility that Lopez indeed loves the Ilokano language, but that love may have been blinded by ambition and/or greed.

In justifying his actions, Lopez cites and arbitrarily interprets DepEd Orders and KWF directives. But the DepEd Central Office has not approved the JLo Orthography (It will reportedly hand down a decision on June 19) and Almario himself urges that Ilokano stakeholders themselves resolve the issue. “Hindi ako Ilokano, kayo ang nararapat mag-usap usap tungkol diyan,” the national artist said on record in at least two conferences. To date, Lopez has not initiated any dialogue. A multisectoral group—including Dr. Alegria Visaya, chief of the MMSU Center for Ilokano and Amianan Studies, and June Arvin Gudoy, head of the Ilocos Norte Provincial Government Communication and Media Office—sent Supt. Aribuabo a Feb. 24 letter requesting for a consultation process. Aribuabo decided not to act on the letter. She has since been transferred to the Laoag City division. In an interview on June 14, Ms. Araceli Pastor, the new DepEd Ilocos Norte superintendent asked for more time before she can comment as she is still in the dark regarding the controversy.

As it is, Lopez chooses to hide behind imagined laws. “But language cannot be legislated,” says Eugene Carmelo Pedro, chair of Plurilingual Philippines. He asserts, for instance, that RA 7104, which creates the KWF, recognizes this fact, for even as it gives the Commission vast powers for the development, enrichment, propagation, and preservation of Filipino and other Philippine languages, it provides in Section 14(d) that the Commission has the power not to impose but only to “propose guidelines and standards for linguistic forms and expressions.” The Ortograpiyang Pambansa, says Pedro, carries no prescriptive value. The same goes for the JLo orthography.

Where to go from here?

A letter to President Noynoy Aquino has been drafted by Gumil Filipinas. A coalition is also writing a report for UNESCO. Legal cases are being carefully prepared. And the growing number of Philippine linguistic groups expressing solidarity to Ilokanos are properly forewarned to nip their Joel Lopezes in the bud.

Meanwhile, it is the third week of classes, and elementary pupils in Ilocos Norte remain helpless victims of this language miseducation caused by one man who has been made to believe he is Jose Rizal but who, in reality, is just a nasty fly proudly sitting on the basket-covered head of a national makapili.

I pledge my support to the opposing team to this grand scheme of Joel Lopez. Because it will only confuse us. If this happens our way of communication will be truly affected. Huwag na nating baguhin ang nakasanayan bagkus pagyamin nalang natin.:)

Ilocano is such a big part of the lives of every Ilocano, mainly those who really lived their roots up to their death. It has played a big role as it molds its youngsters to become unique in its own way. The Ilocano language is such an identity, thus taking it out from the Ilocanos could be a big lost not only in its way of communication but also in their lives.

It is clear that it is a MOTHER TONGUE BASED Multilingual Education, then why would pattern it to any other language? How could someone in position not realize the great insult of such matter? It is like robbing us out of our own identity. Ain’t it pure stupidity to colonize your own colony? I believe this whole thing would only make students dumb and confused with their mother tongue. Please, officials, screw your own interests. Instigate progress, not havoc.

I am very disagree with what lopez are saying. All i can say is this.
I am pure ilokano and if lopez know the happiness and weaknesses of ilokanos if he can say all ilocano words and if he can follow the path of brave ilokanos then yes for him but if not. Please Mr. Lopez submit your resignation and have some vacation outside the country.

How greedy Joel Lopez is. He doesn’t deserve any compliments that comes from the people. Even to be called him as a hero? He is never suit on it. Go for opposing team. If Joel Lopez will succeed on his plan, then this would make interaction complicated. Furthermore, it will confused us and will be hard for students to adjust again. Joel Lopez is just making things complicated. “ayaten ti lengguahe tayo.”

I also disagree about the concept of Joel Lopez for combining the Mother Tongue Based multilingual education because students will just be confused with it. Yes its true that we can all understand iloko but sometimes we have our own differences in our words and their meanings. This concept should not be implemented to students because they have their own understandings.

There is something behind the move or actions of JLO. Money and recognition. Consultation to experts should have been done. Experts? Not even joel lopez is an expert so wala po siya business in changing or even to make suggestion. Ung totoo na siya lang gumawa sa mga changes, then wechave to do something bsgo hiya tuluysng baboyin ang ating pinakamamahal nacilokano. Agbiag ni ilokano!

I am disagree of Joel Lopez how can Joel do that to his own language. Ilocano is been a part of my life and this is the first language that i learn and most Im using ilocano language to communicate to other people.We must love ilocano

Sir, we appreciate your interest on the issue, as this is not merely an Ilocano concern, but is also a concern of other language groups in the country.

Our cause is simply for respect, respect for diversity of languages that make up the Filipino nation. We want the center to respect the fact that the national language and Ilocano, despite coming from the same language family, are different and unique. And because of that, they evolve in different ways, which evolution can only be determined by the people who use the said languages, not by the center, not by an institution, and certainly not by one man.

It is but an accident that the manifestation of this disrespect and lack of consideration for diversity has come in the form of a controversy regarding orthography. The text is quite clear, sir. Ilocanos have their own way of writing their language, and so do other Filipino language groups. This way of writing is rooted in the structure, grammar, and tradition of our language. For the center to impose its way of writing, which is not designed for and suited to our language, is disrespect. It is hegemony and it can never foster unity.

I dont understand why the hell we still need to teach Ilocano or any dialect to our kids though, just teach them filipino instead of teaching them something which isnt really necessary, how the hell can you call a filipino your kababayan if you cannot even communicate to them? theres really only two things a student should know and that is maths and sciences, all these language subjects are just dumbing down our kids

Your grammar shows that you need to be educated on language. Researches have shown again and again that children learn better when they have strong foundations on their mother language. They also learn better through their mother language. Filipino is also not that essential. Almost all Filipinos know English. And please, do not label me “malansang isda,” because if there be one who is “malansang isda,” it is you, for you do not love your own LANGUAGE, which is Ilocano.

you missed the point, I don’t really care if you or anyone wouldn’t want to learn filipino, all I’m saying is, we should have that one language that we can agree of using as a nation and if it’s Ilocano or cebuano then I’d gladly learn that language, unfortunately most of you can’t seem to see the point of a language, and it’s obviously not having perfect grammar

I agree that Philippine languages are marginalized and at risk. But the orthography issue is somewhat of a sideshow if you ask me. People get so emotional about spelling, as if that’s what is killing their language. The real threat, in my humble opinion, is the fact that there are armies of children with Ilokano, Pangasinan, Kapampangan, Bikol, and other parents who don’t use their native languages anymore, particularly children of the upper class, who tend to use Tagalog with their friends and Tagalog and English at school.
A language doesn’t die because someone tries to propose new spelling rules. A language dies when people stop using it. That’s why I wish people would focus on ways to popularize Philippine languages and create more opportunities for their use in media, education, commerce, religion, and other sectors. Very few youth even read Ilokano publications, there is only one Ilokano major magazine, and it’s not used in school after Grade 3. Television is almost entirely in Tagalog, and so is FM radio. Ask anyone to write a paragraph or an essay in Ilokano and the majority would have a very hard time.
What’s the point of even arguing about the spelling if people don’t even use the language! The most urgent thing that needs to be done to save Philippine languages is to foster a climate of respect for diversity, highlight the value of these language and the importance of passing them on to future generations, and give the languages access to other domains to promote further development. There is so much that can be done….like engaging DepEd to somehow include Philippine languages in other grades levels, promoting more research of Philippine languages in universities, engaging companies like ABSCBN to offer more newscasts in Philippine languages, requesting churches to offer more masses in local languages, asking government agencies to provide multilingual resources like websites, passing legislation to strengthen the legal framework to protect local languages….and so on and so forth. All these actions would give a real boost to the fortunes of marginalized languages. Spelling is an issue, but definitely not the most important one.

JLo deserves a proper forum to explain his interpretation of the Ilocano ortography. We do own the language. not Jlo. Not Gumil. We are all a party to the development of the Ilocano language. let’s get our act together.

Lopez has delusions of grandeur like his boss Almario. They should be subjected to psychological tests and if the findings are positive, they should be yanked out of public service. You can’t invent an orthography and impose it unilaterally.

These Idiots thinks homogenous, thinking in mind that the Philippines is a Homogenous but they idiotically forgot that we are a country comprises of several more than 175 Ethnolinguistic Nations. Each of the Ethnolinguistic Nation has their own language with their own script, own culture, identity, literature, history, beliefs, dances, music, etceteras.

This is the very problem with Imperialist-Tagalogists!!!!
Their definition of Nationalism and Patriotism is in fact what we can referred to as “TAGALISM” or “TAGALOGISM”, the process of Tagalizing the NON-Tagalog Ethnic Nations of the Philippines of becoming a Tagalog in order to be identified as real Filipino.